Pictured: Former soldier, 50, killed in suspected ‘hit and run’ whereas biking house to his son on Boxing Day – as household pays tribute

A former soldier who was tragically killed in a suspected hit and run while cycling home to his son on Boxing Day has been pictured for the first time.

Lee Kervin was coming home from the pub where he worked in Ormskirk, Lancashire, when he was hit at about 6.45pm.

The 50-year-old father was described by his sister Dawn as a kind man who would ‘give anyone the shirt off his back’.

The ‘chatty social butterfly’ was rushed to hospital but was sadly pronounced dead a day later. 

Lancashire Police said it had arrested a 29-year-old man from Burscough on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink/drugs. He has since been released on bail.

A second man, 58, from Skelmersdale, was also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene.

Officers are still at the early stages of this investigation and continue to appeal for any witnesses and CCTV/dashcam footage.

Cops are keen to hear from anyone who saw or captured a Kia Sportage being driven in the area between 6.30pm and 7pm.

A former soldier who was tragically killed in a suspected hit and run while cycling home to his son on Boxing Day has been pictured for the first time

Lee Kervin was coming home from the pub where he worked in Ormskirk, Lancashire, when he was hit at about 6.45pm

Paying tribute to the father, his family said: ‘Loving son of Barbara and John, and dad to son Brad. Uncle to two nieces and two nephews.

‘Lee was a quick-witted chatty social butterfly, would always chat to anyone friendly, he liked a pint and chat.

‘He was well known in the village of Parbold where he grew up with his siblings Allan and Dawn.

‘Lee would go out of his way to help anyone he could, always chatting and helping someone out.

‘He served his country in the army – in the Royal Green Jackets – serving in Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone among other places. He left the army to become a single dad to Brad.

‘He stepped up to his responsibilities and loved raising Brad to become the man he is today.

‘Lee lived in the Wigan area before returning to Parbold and eventually settling in Ormskirk.

‘Lee had several jobs over the years, ranging from gardening to pub work in the kitchens.

‘He was the handy man of the family, always ready to fix the failed attempts of DIY of his family.

‘Lee had left a huge void within our small tight-knit family, and he will be greatly missed.’

His sister told the BBC he had been at the pub before setting off for the short journey to his home, where he lived with his 20-year-old son, Brad.

Mr Kervin’s son described him as ‘a great father who loved me endlessly and taught me so much’.